I was surprised that Cédric Tiberghien’s recital at the Mozartfest didn’t completely sell out, though there weren’t many nave seats left in St Mary’s church. Perhaps not so many people this year signed up for the weekend package offered by a tour company which accounts for many of the ticket sales of the festival.
The programme began with a direct and straightforward account of Mozart’s C minor sonata before moving on to Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations in the second half. Even though I am familiar with the work and have been to performances before, it was very helpful to have a few directions beforehand and illustrations of the melodic and rhythmic ‘hooks’ that link the very diverse variations to the original theme. The heavily ornamented Variation 31 emerged as the heart of the set.
This was the only Mozartfest concert I made it to. The spirit of Amelia Freedman, who was always very visible at the Mozartfest and who planned this programme before her death earlier this year, could still be felt. She anointed Adrian Brendel as her successor so I feel it is in good hands.